Query asthma- advice needed

[storm4mozza1]

Good evening.

I have three children, the oldest is 12 and was diagnosed with asthma shortly after he turned 5, for the most part, his asthma is well-managed and rarely causes him problems. My middle child is asthma free which is great but they are querying asthma in my youngest, she is currently 4 (5 on 2nd May).

The main symptom is coughing (the same as her brother), she has been prescribed the blue and brown inhaler and the GP is seeing how she gets on, however, the cough is getting worse, especially in the morning and night and she has been struggling to catch her breath. She has been needing the blue inhaler roughly 3 times a day over the last few days, the GP doesn't seem too concerned but now I am worried.

I know you can only advise but I just need some opinions as I am not sure what to do, when the bouts of cough are not present she is ok.

[Homely2 Administrator]

My asthma is very allergy based, especially dust. So my first reaction would be to minimise dust and clutter in her room and see if that helps.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Homely2]

Thanks so much I'll try that

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to storm4mozza1]

I don't know if it's still the advice (this was in 1992 for me!), but the asthma nurse told my mum to freeze my stuffed animals for a bit, to kill the dust mites without harming the stuffed critters. (I had a LOT of them aged 7 lol).

I don't know if it helped though, as dust mites haven't been an issue for me personally. But maybe worth a go in case that is a trigger for your daughter.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Lysistrata]

Lol thanks so much, she has loads to I may try this

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, I'm not a doctor, but I was a childhood asthmatic and my mum was told coughing is a common way for children's asthma to present, especially at night. There is still unfortunately a perception with some doctors that it's not as bad/not asthma if there's no wheeze, which isn't accurate at any age. (At least this doctor is acknowledging the coughing is asthma!)

All asthma is variable so generally people can be ok in between symptoms, but if the overall trend is getting worse with more frequent coughing bouts and more times she's breathless, then that does suggest things are not great at the moment, especially if she's been needing the reliever more.

The GP should be aware that this pattern isn't good, but asthma awareness among doctors unfortunately can be as variable as asthma it seems! Is there another GP you could get in with? I do think it's worth pushing for her to be seen. If at any point she really can't catch her breath and the inhaler isn't helping or lasting, then take her to hospital asap.

I would also give the asthma nurses on here a call as well as getting in with the GP, as they can advise further and suggest how to approach the GP: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

For the longer term it may be worth thinking about whether anything has changed in the last few days (weather? Anything in the bedroom? New pet/food etc?)

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks so much this has helped massively.

[ReedB]

Just to add to the replies. Is she taking antihistamines? The tree pollen is high at the moment and it always affects my asthma. Definitely worth talking through with the GP.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to ReedB]

Yes she i but I'm trying to find one that agrees with her thanks for the help and reply

[ReedB in reply to storm4mozza1]

No problem. I hope things improve x

[storm4mozza1 in reply to ReedB]

Thankyou x

[ChrissieMons]

Does she sleep propped up at night? It can help to reduce the coughing. It might take a while to get used to it, but it's worth a try. Also, keep the blue inhaler back for a little bit, to see if she can control her breathing herself first; deep breaths, calm etc, rather than an immediate response: it is so easy to become dependent on it, because it has such miraculous effects! Cold weather can be trigger too, so she may be better as the year warms up.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to ChrissieMons]

Thanks so much, we managed to prop her up last night and it's the first time in two weeks that the coughing didn't wake her, thanks again

[Boswell08]

you could try one of those air purifiers with HEPA filters that you plug in her room, they help remove allergens from the air in a room.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Boswell08]

Oh i hadn't thought of that thanks so much i'll take a look now

[Mandevilla]

If she's only seen the GP not the asthma nurse, then it might be worth asking for an asthma medication review with the practice nurse (assuming you have one that specialises in asthma). My GP was "oh just keep taking the Ventolin, it's fine if you're using it multiple times a day and it doesn't matter if you still feel breathless, that's part of having asthma", but the practice nurse was "if you're using that much Ventolin that's a problem, your asthma isn't well controlled at the moment so we need to look at a new maintenance inhaler for you".

I know not everyone has the same experience and some GPs are better than others, but it might be worth trying the practice nurse if you're not getting anywhere with your GP.

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Mandevilla]

I never thought of going down that route before but I will definately be calling them and asking this now, thanks.

[Patk1]

My grandsons been same of late.i don't think damp weather helps.it sets me off too.is he on montelukast? He has the chewable tablet+ its helped him so much x

[storm4mozza1 in reply to Patk1]

I have never heard of that in my life, I just looked it up and don't know why dr has never mentioned it, especially as my oldest has had asthma since he was 4, thanks so much